7 Nigerian Foods That Will Help You Lose Weight

Often times, in an attempt to lose weight, most people decide to starve themselves or go on compulsory fasting. Although, this might work, but the result is never permanent.

As soon as they’re back to their normal eating lifestyle/habit, they gain the weight back. However, eating the right food in the right proportion will take off the extra weight in no time. So, I’ve put together these seven Nigerian foods that will help your weight loss journey.

1. Oatmeal

Scientifically, a small study showed that those who ate oatmeal daily for six weeks had a greater decrease in cholesterol levels and waist size than those who ate the same amount of carbs in noodles over the same time frame.Oatmeal also offers the calories and fibre you need to stay satisfied all morning long. Unlike sugary cereals full of refined carbs, the body digests oatmeal at a slower pace, keeping blood sugar levels steady, energy up, and hunger away.

Healthy Oatmeal

2. Beans

Beans contain a lot of protein and fibre, which helps you stay fuller. When you stay full, you consume less food and less calorie in turn. This is helpful for your weight loss journey. Also, Beans is a good source of proteins which helps you build more muscle, making you appear trimmed.

Nigerian Beans

3. Brown rice

The first advice or tip that comes with weight loss is to stay away from white food such as rice, yam, bread etc. But an average Nigerian can hardly stay away from these meals. Thankfully, there’s a good replacement for rice and all you need to do is switch from white rice to brown rice or Ofada rice. They contain complex carbohydrates and are rich in protein, thereby increasing the body’s metabolism.

Brown rice

4. Avocado

Avocados contain monounsaturated fats which are burned readily for fuel during exercise and actually engage fat burning. Avocados also contain mannoheptulose, a sugar that actually blunts insulin increase and enhances calcium absorption. Both are crucial for weight loss.

5. Peanut

One challenge that often comes with weight loss is the problem of snacking or nibbling on something. Peanuts are rich in proteins and fibre and are healthy snacks that can be included in your list of weight loss food items.

Peanuts

6. Ginger

Ginger has been used for centuries to help reduce digestive upset. Ginger also helps reduce inflammation, boost blood flow to muscles, and aid muscle recovery. It has also been shown to boost calorie burn when eaten.

7. Water

This may just be your best ally in fighting body fat. Studies have shown that drinking just two cups of water can boost metabolic rate by 30%! So, drink, drink and don’t stop drinking.